Honorable Myra Crownover, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2696 by Howard (Relating to a grant program for, and a study on, reducing workplace violence in certain health facilities.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2696, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($1,839,540) through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2016
($901,558)
2017
($937,982)
2018
($937,982)
2019
($840,182)
2020
($840,182)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2015
2016
($901,558)
2.5
2017
($937,982)
3.0
2018
($937,982)
3.0
2019
($840,182)
3.0
2020
($840,182)
3.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code by adding a subchapter related to workplace violence. The bill would require that the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) administer a new grant program to fund de-escalation and crisis intervention training at health facilities licensed by DSHS. The agency would be required to submit a biennial report to the governor and the legislature on expenditures and outcomes. The bill would also require that DSHS conduct a study and submit a one-time report on workplace violence in licensed health facilities; the scope of the study is specified and the requirement would expire on December 31, 2017.
Methodology
DSHS indicates there are 2,685 licensed health facilities in Texas. This estimate assumes that 10 grants would be awarded per fiscal year at $50,000 each for a total of $500,000. The cost of the grant program could increase depending on the number of facilities identified as having an elevated risk of workplace violence occurrences. According to DSHS, three FTEs (phased in for 2016) would be required to establish a new grant program. The total cost to administer the grant program would be $901,558 in fiscal year 2016, $937,982 in fiscal years 2017 and 2018, and $840,182 in each fiscal year thereafter (these figures include the $500,000 grant estimate per year). This includes salary and benefits costs of $188,730 in fiscal year 2016 and $251,640 for each year thereafter. It is assumed that DSHS could absorb the cost of the study, due by December 31, 2016, within current resources.
Technology
Technology costs of $15,696 in fiscal year 2016 and $2,175 each following year are included in the total costs above.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
529 Health and Human Services Commission, 537 State Health Services, Department of